Brazil's Waterfalls & Beaches

Waterfalls and beaches on this Brazil itinerary that balances superlatives with slow travel

Brazil is a siren call for travelers, blessed with vibrant cities, postcard-perfect beaches, and one of the planet’s most extraordinary waterfall systems. Brazil's Waterfalls & Beaches is an 11-day private, luxury itinerary that combines highlight-hitting destinations like Copacabana and Ipanema beaches with superlative Iguaçu Falls, tempered with opportunities to slow down in some of Brazil’s more laid-back enclaves.  

We start you out in Buzios, a charming coastal retreat where the tides will dictate your day, before launching you into glitzy Rio de Janeiro. Once you’ve charged your battery to full with Rio’s buzzy urban energy, retreat into the mountains, escaping to a private reserve ensconced by nature with a wellness and conservation lean. Finish your extraordinary journey admiring effervescent Iguaçu Falls—a torrent of more than 275 individual cascades braided together, embraced by lush rainforest. You’ll depart Brazil having done a little bit of everything, at just the right pace.  

Brazil's Waterfalls & Beaches: 10 Nights/ 11 Days

Brazil's Waterfalls & Beaches Trip Highlights

Touch down in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to Buzios, an upscale resort town set on a peninsula that reaches out into the Atlantic Ocean. Spend three nights at Insolito, imbibing panoramic views from your room, enjoying al fresco seaside picnics, and lounging poolside.  
Spent two days in Buzios, a place made famous by French actress Brigid Bardot. Shop for designer swimwear, dine on pulled-fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, swim golden beaches (there are more 23!), take a sunset cruise, and sip caprihanis after dark on trendy Rua das Pedras street.  
Next, return to Rio de Janeiro to spend a few days in one of the world’s most incredible cities. Explore Rio’s highlights with a private guide and driver. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and the beaches (Copacabana and Ipanema) are obvious places to start. We recommend sipping a cold beer at an open-air restaurant to people-watch, listen to live music, and watch a spirited volleyball or beach futbol match. When it’s time to move on, head to the Santa Teresa neighborhood, dubbed the “Montmartre” of Rio. Eclectic, bohemian, and artistic, it’s often described as a hipster hideout, a village within a city. Wander its winding alleys and artist workshops alongside a local expert guide. A food city, you’ll want to leave room for grilled Brazilian churrascaria. With so many facets to explore, from food tours to history to world-class museums, be sure to let your Extraordinary Journeys Brazil specialist know about your niche interests so we can weave them into your stay in Rio.  
Travel north to the state of Minas Gerias for a three-night stay at Ibiti, a regenerative travel initiative that wears many hats. Part countryside retreat, part traditional village, and part rewilding haven, this one-of-a-kind destination property invites you onto its 14,800-acre private reserve that nudges up against Ibitipoca State Park. With limited other guests on site, pass joyful days horseback riding, hiking, E-biking, and Jeep touring the enveloping forests and fields; at the base of some waterfalls, take a dip in a swimming hole that's skirted by a quartz "river beach," practice yoga in a sculpture garden that was once showcased at Burning Man festival, and dine on gourmet meals sourced with ingredients grown in the organic gardens. Imbibe the great outdoors in unique, al fresco settings, from Champagne picnics to a candlelit dinner in a secretive cave. Your stay at Ibiti isn’t just good for the soul; the project’s rewilding efforts reintroduce biodiversity to the land while creating wildlife corridors in an area under constant threat of deforestation and mining. Put time aside to visit a small mountain community where locals grow organic produce, distill cachaça, and craft beautiful handmade items. Depart Ibiti knowing that your stay contributes to the conservation of this special wilderness and those who call it home.  
Fly to Iguaçu and check in at the iconic Belmond Das Cataratas, a pastel-pink hotel overlooking legendary Iguaçu Falls—a nearly two-mile-wide curtain of water comprised of more than 275 individual cascades. Hemmed by lush rainforest, this is the only property ensconced within Iguaçú National Park and many rooms offer views of the cascades.  
Spend the next day admiring the superlative falls with a guide. We recommend that travelers visit both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of Iguaçu Falls—for varying experiences and viewpoints. Your Extraordinary Journey’s Brazil specialist will handle the logistics of the border crossing so you can enjoy seamless, worry-free travel. Optional excursions include a thrilling boat ride to the foot of the falls, a memorable helicopter flyover, and oft-overlooked opportunities to hike in the jungle.
Return to São Paulo for your international flight home or onward journey. 

Price

Starting at $8,600 per person sharing in 2025

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